Its only preseason, but rivalry hot as ever

FORT MYERS, Fla.  The stadium near the Gulf of Mexico is only 12 years old. The official capacity is just 6,990. And some fans come as much for the sun as for the game.

Howard Ulman

Published
12:00 am EST, Sunday, March 7, 2004

City of Palms Park is nothing like Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

Except, of course, when the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez visit the Red Sox in their first meeting since New York beat Boston 6-5 in Game 7 of the American League championship series last year.

And its only spring training.

"Weve always enjoyed the rivalry," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "(Today) I anticipate its not going to be any different."

The Red Sox had to reject requests for media credentials even though they have a large, modern pressbox. The game was added to the YES television network after it originally wasnt scheduled to be televised in New York.

And 3 hours after tickets went on sale by phone on Jan. 17, callers were told there were none left.

But retired physician Tom Martone, a Yankees fan for 60 years who lives on Cape Cod among Red Sox rooters, managed to snag a standing room ticket.

"Were both retired, so we have nothing better to do than come boo for the Red Sox," Martone, 66, said with a laugh as he and his brother Tony watched a recent Boston workout.

Players and managers stress that its just another day to get ready for the regular season. But they know theres something extra.

"Anytime you see that (Boston) uniform, it certainly stirs up memories," said Torre, who has seen it the past eight years as Yankees manager.

Terry Francona will face New York for the first time as Bostons manager and isnt as immersed in the rivalry yet.

"This is for us to prepare to get ready for the season," Francona said.

But, he did say Saturday, "I know my kids are going back (home) tomorrow and theyre mad because they want to come to the game."

He reacted in amazement when told that two tickets were being offered on E-Bay for nearly $250 each.

Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek and Bill Mueller all are expected to start today, as will Rodriguez and Derek Jeter for New York.

Rodriguez is making the transition to third base from shortstop, Jeters position. The rivalry between the teams intensified when the Yankees obtained Rodriguez from Texas after the Red Sox failed to do that.

The game will be the first on-field meeting since then between Rodriguez and Garciaparra, who the Red Sox planned to trade had they made the deal with Texas.

"Its going to be a pretty exciting day," Rodriguez said. "I think it will be a prelude to what well see all summer."

"Absolutely," Garciaparra said when asked if hed shake hands with the Yankees.

Including A-Rod?

"Ill shake hands with him as well," Garciaparra said with a big smile.

Like many of his teammates, Garciaparra sees it as a chance for the Red Sox to improve their hitting and throwing motions.

But theres more to it for Bronson Arroyo, Bostons starting pitcher today.

Arroyo was the shortstop for Hernando High north of Tampa, where the Yankees hold spring training, in a game against Westminster Christian. The Miami schools shortstop won the game 4-3 with an extra-inning homer on a changeup. That was Rodriguez.

Arroyo said that before that game he "had never seen balls hit like he hit in batting practice and he was hitting with a wood bat." Arroyo said his first pitch to A-Rod will be a fastball away.

The Red Sox were devastated by a more recent extra-inning homer  Aaron Boones solo shot in the 11th off Tim Wakefield that won Game 7 and sent the Yankees to the World Series after Boston led 5-2 in the eighth.

But no players suggest that todays game is, even in the slightest way, a chance to avenge that loss.

New York first baseman Jason Giambi thinks the hype will be less than for a regular-season game between the teams, but he expects the atmosphere to be more charged than for a typical exhibition.

"It will get the juices going again, no doubt about it," Giambi said.

The Yankees have won 26 World Series since the Red Sox last did it in 1918. But New York hasnt won it the past three seasons after four championships in the previous five.

Boston, second in the AL East the past six seasons, improved in the offseason with the acquisition of pitchers Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke and second baseman Pokey Reese.

After losing the World Series to Florida, New York added Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Kenny Lofton, Tom Gordon and Paul Quantrill, but questions surround its starting rotation.

"People always ask, What are you going to do to overtake the Yankees?" Garciaparra said. "And Im like, overtake the Yankees? Weve got to overtake everybody. You can go 19-0 against them, but if theyre in the playoffs and were not, its not good."

To some passionate fans, though, beating certain teams is special.

"We wanted to see the Yankees win the World Series," Tom Martone said, "but it really didnt matter after we knocked off the Red Sox. That was the big thing. That was the World Series for us."